AIMS // Atlantic Institute for Market Studies

Since having to face economic austerity measures, the New Brunswick government is tackling a need to continue to raise academic performance scores after poor results on studies and tests over the past decade. AIMS President and CEO Charles Cirtwill weighs in on the issues facing education in New Brunswick and compares policies and practices in the province to those of other province's in Canada.

The notion that ours is the "most open, honest and accountable Canadian Government ever" is questioned when AIMS well-researched reports on education and healthcare reveal otherwise.

New Brunswick spends more on individual students than neighbouring provinces, but test scores remain low. AIMS President and CEO Charles Cirtwill explains that how much you spend on education isn't as relevant as what you spend it on.

As our new MPs get settled into Ottawa, AIMS staff suggests some topics of importance to Atlantic Canada. AIMS Board Chair John Risley discusses China's importance on the world stage. The history of Friday the 13th is told. View Charles Cirtwill's talk on freedom of choice in education. Michael Zwaagstra talks about what's wrong with our schools.

In one area of provincial policy, Manitoba boldly stands alone. It is the only province that stubbornly refuses to make information about student academic performance available to the general public.

In this editorial, Paul W. Bennet (Schoolhouse Institute) and AIMS President Charles Cirtwill look at Nova Scotia's new personal testimonials website for public schools. They suspect Nova Scotians have real stories to tell about our public schools. It’s high time we put students first in Nova Scotia education.

Manitoba is the only province that stubbornly refuses to make information about student academic performance available to the general public.

A public forum on education being held in Halifax next week is expected to draw educators, parents and interested citizens from throughout the province.

Chronicle-Herald columnist Marilla Stevenson uses AIMS' research on early childhood education to make her point in this column.

Charles Cirtwill, President and CEO of AIMS gives his opinion of the recent report by Tim O'Neill on the future prospects of the university system in this Op-Ed from the Chronicle Herald.

AIMS author Paul W. Bennett discusses the future of the school board system in Nova Scotia.

The Atlantic Institute for Market Studies (AIMS) in cooperation with the Frontier Centre for Public Policy (FCPP) release the broadest set of public information ever presented on Western Canadian high schools.

Transcript of remarks by Governor Jeb Bush about successful education reform at AIMS' 15th anniversary dinner in Moncton.

This Commentary from Australia is a lesson to us all in the need for public accountability and public reporting in our education system.

Educator Paul Bennett looks at lost teaching days in Atlantic Canadian schools and provides evidence of how those lost days hurt our

Our population is getting older. This Commentary, based on a talk to the Canadian Education Association, examines how that fact will impact education policy.

Atlantic Canadian educators were quick to vilify the AIMS report card on high schools calling it “a disservice” and “misleading”. What they did not do is back up their arguments with facts. In this commentary for Progress magazine, Jim Meek observes, instead of carping at critics, educators must take a closer look at the benefits of ranking our schools.

AIMS is front and centre in the Atlantic Canada media this week following the release of its Report Card on Atlantic Canadian high schools. The Report Card, which ranks regional high schools' performance, has ignited a heated debate over not only the results, but also the impact the study will have on the education system. Critics inside the education establishment have gone so far as to tell teachers not to even read the study. Supporters are saying this type of external review has been far too long coming.

Atlantic Canadian taxpayers invest substantial sums in our region’s universities, but what value are they actually receiving in return for their investment?

The ninth annual AIMS Atlantic Canadian High School Report Card tackles the question: How to make progress? View three op-eds on the topic by AIMS staff and contributors.

AIMS President and CEO Charles Cirtwill argues that there's no crisis in education and that's the underlying problem. Our public education system isn't bad, but remains largely inflexible to individual need and special circumstances.

Providing structured early childhood education is socially and economically beneficial, yet does not top the education agenda. AIMS contributor Paul W. Bennett considers whether government should offer universal childcare programs or target support where it will do the most good.

When the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies puts out its annual Report Card on Atlantic Canadian High Schools it hopes that the schools ranked in the report recognize it as a supplemental tool for them to use.

AIMS' Ninth Annual Report Card on Atlantic Canadian High Schools is read and assessed by school boards, and is making gains in influencing school improvement - but could be put to better use. A school board administrator from Newfoundland comments.

Recent successes see local District Education Councils (DECs) having real impact on decision-making, but AIMS President and CEO Charles Cirtwill says DECs haven't yet lived up to their intent to move to a more localized decision-making model.

A university degree is still the best way to increase one's earnings over a lifetime, but new research suggests that one in five Canadian graduates end up on the lower end of the income scale. AIMS President and CEO Charles Cirtwill stresses that one is solely focused on income, there are certain choices one should make.

In this interview, choice in public education is discussed. AIMS President and CEO Charles Cirtwill and AIMS Senior Education Fellow Angus McBeath are interviewed on the Edmonton school system and the merits of choice in education.

AIMS President and CEO Charles Cirtwill is interviewed on "the achievement gap" in education, that addresses the issue of some students in certainl demographics beyond their control falling behind in education success.

AIMS President and CEO Charles Cirtwill is interviewed about his thoughts regarding how descisions have been made regarding the prevention of school closures, and his take on backroom allegations made by southernshorenow.ca as a result of a freedom of information request.

Research has repeatedly shown that testing and accountability in our education system improves student performance. In this op-ed, AIMS President & CEO Charles Cirtwill tells New Brunswick to get back in the habit of provincial tests.

This is an edited excerpt from the speech by former Governor Jeb Bush to AIMS' 15th Anniversary event in Moncton. Bush uses his successful experience in Florida to provide tips on improving public education.

This front page story in the Times & Transcript features AIMS 15th anniversary dinner with Jeb Bush. It provides details of education reform that worked in Florida under Bush and has proven successful in other jurisdictions. It mirrors much of AIMS' research in education.

Governor Jeb Bush's speech to AIMS' 15th anniversary dinner in Moncton made front page news in New Brunswick. This article in the Telegraph Journal shows how Bush proposes to drag education into the 21st century. He points out little has changed in the classroom since the 50's.

In a preview of AIMS' 15th anniversary event in Moncton, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush explains some of the education reforms he championed while in office.

Since the release of AIMS Report Card on Atlantic Canadian high schools more than a month ago, teacher associations and government leaders have categorized the study as misleading, flawed in its data and demonstrating poor methodology. But AIMS president Brian Lee Crowley said none of the government recipients of the study has yet been specific in its claims.

Atlantic Canadian newspapers continue to wade into the debate on AIMS Report Card on Atlantic Canadian High Schools. In the Friday March 21 edition of the Journal Pioneer in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, the paper said it is hard to get upset over Education Minister Chester Gillan not having information on high schools ‘readily available’ when staffing issues should take priority.

The Daily Gleaner, March 15 editorial said the "The public.. is making public education its business." and asked why educators would ask the public to "ignore this report.” The editorial also asks the NBTA to “place their concerns firmly, clearly, and rationally on the table. Only then will the public be able to dismiss and condemn or accept and praise the AIMS work.”

Results for New Brunswick schools for AIMS' 8th Annual Report Card on Atlantic Canadian High Schools.

Use the information to demand real change in your school

Native Maritimer Revolutionizes Public School System with Choice and Accountability

AIMS methodology “exceptional”, “fair”, “illuminating”, “objective”

Newfoundland's claims unsubstantiated. Repetition by other ministers both unfair and uninformed

David Seymour will address the Public Section of the Saskatchewan School Boards’ Association on the vexed topic of community feedback in education. If Standardised Testing undermines the autonomy and professionalism of teachers, are there alternatives for satisfying community expectations?

AIMS president Brian Lee Crowley presented a commentary titled, "Students Without Border, Universities Without Illusions: Why international mobility will cause a quality revolution in our universities." at the annual conference of the National Association of University Chairs and Secretaries (NAUBCS)

Angus McBeath, Superintendent of Public Schools, explains the outstanding success of the Edmonton education reform experience

Will enabling parents and students to choose their own schools and allowing schools to compete will provide the best educational opportunities.

The White House Comes to AIMS: David Frum on Canada-US relations, why educators are blame AIMS for their own problems plus Brian Lee Crowley on natural gas distribution and the danger of opting for cheap pills now versus new drugs tomorrow.

An invitation to hear Edmonton Superintendent of Schools to speak at an AIMS event, the debate over nationalized auto insurance and Brian Lee Crowley on the future of work in Nova Scotia.

Don’t Miss Angus McBeath at The Halifax Club